Tamperproof envelope



y 2, 1933. s. M. GORN TAMPERPROOF ENVELOPE Filed Jan. 5, 1931 INVENTOR. ,S'muelfll. (Zorn, BY

A TTORNE Y.

-Patented May 2, 1933 PATEN FFICE SAMUEL M. GOR-N, or sen ANTONIO, TnxAs TAMrERrnoor ENVELOPE Application filed January 3, 1931. Serial No. 506,415.

This invention relates to envelopes and has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an envelope that cannot be opened Without mutilating and disfiguring it thereby safeguarding the envelope against the opening thereof by unauthorized persons.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an envelope so constructed and arranged that it 0 cannot be unsealed by steaming or otherwise without causing permanent disfiguration, thus giving evidence that the envelope has been tampered with. V 1

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an envelope which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, thoroughly efficient in its use, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawing wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a rear elevation partly broken away of a sealed envelope in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the blank from which the envelope is formed and fur ther illustrating a sealing element attach ed to one of the flaps of the blank and in non-sealed position.

Figure 3 is a section on line 33, Figure 1.

An envelope in accordance with this inventi on comprises a rectangular part 1 which constitutes the front of the envelope when the latter is closed. Extending from the ends of the rectangular part 1 are a pair of end flaps 2, 3 and further extending from the part 1 is a pair of side flaps 4, 5. The length of the flaps 2, 3 is less than the length of part- 1. The flap 2 is of less length than the flap 3.

Theflap 3 has the major portion of its length, as indicated at 6 of materially less Width than the widthof the flap 2. The Width of the flaps 4, 5 is materially less than the width of the flaps 2, 3 as well as the part 1.

The flaps 4,5 are adaptedto be folded against the rear face of the part 1 and in connection with the flaps 2, 3 provide the back of the envelope.

Secured to the inner face of the flap 3 is a rectangular sealing member 7 which can be formed of any suitable material, preferably crepe paper. The sealing member 7 is of greater area than the flap 3 and projects from the end and side edges of said portion 6 of flap 3. The side edges of the sealing member 7 are flush with the bend 8 betweenthe flaps 4, 5 and part 1. V

The portions of the sealing element 7 which project beyond the side edges of the part 6 v of the flap3 are indicated at 9, 10 and the portions of the sealing element 7 which project beyond the end edge of flap 3 are indi cated at 11. The portion 11 is bent upon itself to provide an inner part 12 and an outer part 13. g

When the envelope is sealedthe inner part 12 of portion 11 is secured to the outer face of the part 6 of the flap 3 and the outer part 13 of portion 11 is secured to the outer face of the fi'ap 2. The portions 9, 10 of the sealing element 7 extend laterally from the side edges of part 6 have the outer faces thereof permanentlyexposed when the envelope is sealed but the inner faces of said portions 9, 10 are secured to the flaps 4, 5. The marginal portions of the sides and of the flaps 2 and inner part 12 are secured to flaps4, 5.

Suitable cementitious material is applied to the side marginal portions and outer end marginal portion of the inner face of flap 2, the outerendmarginal portion of the outer face of flap 3 and to the outer faces of the flap 5. The cementitious material'is suchthat it can be dampened when it is desired to seal flap 2 in position. The flap 2has the outer marginal portion of its outer face at its outer end also provided with cementitious material which is dampened for thepurpose of securing the outer part 13-of sealing element to flap 2. The cementitious material on the flaps at, 5 is employed for securing the portions 9, 10 and part 12 of the sealing element and the inner face of the flap 2 at its sides to the side flaps.

Vhat I claim is:

1. In an envelope, a body part having a pair of oppositely disposed, foldable, substantially rectangular end flaps of a width to overlap when folded and a pair of oppositely disposed, foldable side flaps, and a rectangular sealing element secured to the iner face of one of said end flaps, said element of a width corresponding to that of said body part and having portions extending from an end edge and the side edges of said end flap, one of said extended portions formed of an inner and an outer fold, said inner fold for securing to the outer face of said end flap,

said outer and inner folds for securing to the outer and inner faces respectively of the other of said end flaps, and the others of said extended portions for securing to the outer faces of said side flaps and being permanently V visible 2. In an envelope, a body part having a pair of oppositely disposed foldable, substantially rectangular end flaps of a width to overlap when folded and a pair of oppositely disposed foldable side flaps having their outer faces provided with adhesive material, and a sealing element secured to the innerface of and having a portion extended from the free end edge of one of said flaps, the latter being provided on its outer face with adhesive material bordering its free end edge, said extended portion being formed of an outer and an inner fold opposing each other, the inner fold for securing to said end flap by the adhesive material on the latter, the other of saidend flaps being provided on its inner face with adhesive material bordering its free end edge for securing said inner fold therewith and on its outer face with adhesive material bor- 'dering its free end edge for securing said outer fold therewith, and the adhesive mate rial on said side flaps for securing said element thereto.

3. An envelope structure comprising a rectangular body part, a foldable, rectangular bottom flap having adhesive material on its outer face bordering its free lengthwise edge, and with the major portion thereof of less width than its remaining portion, the latter joining with said body part, a. foldable rectangular top flap formed with said body part and its outer and inner faces bordering its free lengthwise edge provided with adhesive material, a pair of side flaps joining with said body part and each having its outer face provided with adhesive material, and a sealing element secured to the inner face of said bottom flap and having portions extended from the said free end edge of the bottom flaps and from the side edges ofthe said portion of less width, that portion extended from said free end edge of the bottom flap formed of an inner-and an outerpart both secured to the inner and outer faces of the top flap'by the said material on the latter, said inner part secured to the outer face of the bottom flap and to the side flaps by said material on such flaps, and the others of said extended portions being secured to the side flaps by said material on the latter.

4. An envelope comprising top, bottom and side flaps and a body part joined to said flaps, said top and bottom flaps overlapping each other, and a sealing member secured to the inner face of the bottom flap and having port-ions extended therefrom, means for securing one of said extended portions to the outer face of the bottom flap, to the inner and outer faces of the top flap and to the outer faces of the side flaps and the other extended portions to said side flaps.

5. An envelope comprising top, bottom and side flaps and a body part joined to said flaps, said top and bottom flaps overlapping each other, and a sealing member secured to the inner face of the bottom flap and having portions extended therefrom, means for securing one of said extended portions to the outer face of the bottom flap to the inner and outer faces of the top flap and to the outer faces of the side flaps and the other extended portions to said side flaps, the said other extended portions when secured to the side flaps being visible.

6. An envelope comprising a rectangular body part, a rectangular bottom flap joined to the latter and having its inner portion of greater length than-its outer portion, a rectangular top flap joined with said body part for overlapping the upper part of said bottom flap, a pair of side fiaps joining with said body part, a rectangularsealing member secured to and throughout the inner face of the bottom flap and having a portion extended from the free end of and portions extending from the side edges of said inner portion of said bottom flap, and means for securing said extending portions to the inner and outer faces of the top flap at the free end of the latter, to the outer face of the bottom flap at the free end of the latter and to a portion of the outer faces of the side flaps.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature hereto.

' SAMUEL M. GORN. 

